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< Back Pamela White-Hanson Pamela White-Hanson Navajo/Diné Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete/Coach 2025 Born and raised on the Navajo Nation, where the sport of running has ancestral connections, Pamela White-Hanson began running, and developed the strength and endurance throughout the years to help her high school team win four consecutive State Cross Country Team titles. With this passion and success, Pamela was provided the opportunity to run with a team called Wings of America, a non-profit youth development program, during her sophomore year and traveled to New York City to compete in the USA Track and Field National Cross-Country Championships where her team placed runner-up. There, she was in awe of a collegiate team who won the national title which inspired her to attend Adams State College without any knowledge of where or what this school was about. Ready to spread her wings, Pamela White-Hanson left home from the comforts of family, community, and culture two years later to join an elite class of collegiate athletes, who became her second family at Adams State College, an NCAA Division II school in Alamosa, Colorado. As a member of the Adams State cross country team, she helped her team to three NCAA Division II National Championships becoming a six-time All- American and managed to complete two undergraduate degrees in Elementary Education and Exercise Physiology and a Masters in Bilingual Education. In 2000, Pamela received a prestigious Giants Steps award with the National Consortium for Academics and Sports as a Courageous Female Student-Athlete alongside other inductees such as Muhammad Ali and Pat Summit as well as being featured in two magazines, Native Peoples Magazine and the Santa Fean. Pamela worked with the Native youth, one of the most at-risk populations in the United States through Wings of America with the Earth Circle Foundation and gained proficiency to facilitate summer running and fitness camps to Native communities throughout the country. Wings of America used running as a catalyst to empower the youth which also empowered Pamela White-Hanson to become an educator. After running professionally for a couple years with Sports Warriors co-sponsored by ASICS, Pamela begin her education career in Flagstaff, AZ where she joined a unique trilingual school, Puente De Hozhó. Pamela returned to her home language and taught the Diné (Navajo) Language to indigenous students for 16 years. She received Arizona’s Rodell Exemplary Teachers Award for 2010 in Flagstaff and was also nominated for Arizona Teacher of the Year. Today, Pamela White-Hanson continues her passion for working with the Native youth at Sinagua Middle School as well as coaching high school Cross Country and Track at Northland Preparatory Academy (NPA). Last fall, her girl’s NPA cross country team won a State Title and the NPA Boys received runner-up with her youngest son on the team. Pamela White-Hanson’s legacy continues and is married to college sweetheart, Brent Hanson and is currently raising three beautiful sons and have been foster parents to many children. Her eldest is in the workforces, one who is currently running collegiately for Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO and her youngest is running in high school at Northland Prep where she currently coaches. <Back

< Back Terry Felix Terry Felix Sts'ailes First Nation Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2024 Raised on the Chehalis Reserve, Terry Felix did not play organized soccer until high school in tenth grade. At 16, he joined a men’s team coached by his father Pete. First Nations were not invited to play in non-Native tournaments in the 1970s except for one tournament where a Whitecaps’ scout was present and approached Terry’s father for Terry to try out for the youth team. In September 1981 he signed a professional contract with the Vancouver Whitecaps. On July 10, 1983, he made his professional debut for the Whitecaps against the New York Cosmos in front of 50,000 fans. In doing so he became the first Indigenous soccer player to play professionally in North America. In 1983 Felix represented Canada in the Olympic Qualifiers for the Canada Men’s National Soccer Team and earned three caps. In doing so he became the first Indigenous soccer player to represent Canada. Felix played for the Canadian Olympic Soccer Team and scored two goals including the winner in the first of a two-game series in May, 1983. He played a three-game series for the Canadian National Soccer Team against the Scotland National Team in June, 1983. He suffered a career-ending injury while training with the Olympic Soccer Team just before the 1984 Olympics. In September, 2018, Felix was inducted into the British Columbia (BC) Hall of Fame Aboriginal Sports Gallery. In June, 2020, he was inducted into the BC Soccer Hall of Fame and two years later in June, 2022, he received the honor of the Indspire Award Laureate for Sport. Felix continues to promote and coach Aboriginal Youth Soccer. <Back

< Back Jana Williams Jana Williams Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2023 Jana Williams got her start in tennis the summer before seventh grade. Her older sister wanted tennis lessons, and Jana golf lessons; so they agreed to take them together. After playing in her first tournament, the captain from the high school team convinced her to try out for the varsity team as a seventh grader, playing #4 singles and 8-12th #1. She was in the top 5 in the Northwest section throughout her junior career, qualifying for Jr. Nationals and then in her sophomore year was awarded a scholarship to Nick Bollettieri’s Tennis Academy in Bradenton, FL. After high school she got pregnant with twins. When they were six months old she returned to school at North Hennepin Community College and played on the tennis team for two years, going undefeated both years and qualified for the NJCAA National tournament. The first year she made it to the semifinals before losing, the following year the quarterfinals. After both years she was offered scholarships to play tennis, but instead of moving away from family, she decided to walk on to the University of Minnesota’s tennis team during the 1993-1994 season. Jana became involved with the organization called the North American Indian Tennis Association (NAITA). She was the Jr. Singles champion in 1987, and Open Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles champion and Runner-up in many NAITA Tournaments. She was a past President in 2016. She also directed tennis clinics at UNITY Conference in Oklahoma City and Washington DC along with Riverside Indian Boarding School, Anadarko OK. It was Jana’s goal to bring tennis to the Native communities across the country and brought the NAITA’s tournament to Minnesota in 2016. She now actively competes in Women's NPC Bodybuilding and teaches anyone who wants to learn a healthy lifestyle how to work out and improve their overall health. Her awards included the 2017 NPC FIGURE Master's 35+ 1st place and Overall Champion, the IRON VIKING, Battle of The Falls Overall Champion and the 2019 Master’s Nationals and NPC Women's Open Physique Brew City and Minnesota State 3rd and 4th places. <Back

Haudenosaunee Dehontsigwaehs IIJL WORLD U18 LACROSSE CHAMPIONSHIP (WU18LC) 2016 Gold Medal: Iroquois Team 2026 Induction Category: Year Inducted <Back Bronson Hill, Daris Anderson, Emmett Smith, Jackson Miller, Jaxon Martin, Jesse Longboat, Landon General, Luke Montour, Marshall Powless, Marty Bomberry, Matt Miller, McCoy Abrams, Mike Martin-Abel, Nick Martin, Riley Laforme-Hess, Riley Miller, Ryan Johnson, Sam Gowland, Shane Henry, Sheldon Hill, Tanner Jonathon, Trent Martin Head Coach: Joe Powless Assistant Coach: Mike Miller

< Back Mike Chavez Mike Chavez Crow/Northern Cheyenne Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2025 Mike Chavez was one of the few indigenous men to play basketball at the NCAA Division I level in Montana, and he was honored at the 2023 University of Montana Nike N7 Celebration basketball game. Chavez was a three-time "USA TODAY" all-class player of the year for Montana from 2000- 2002. He was a Street and Smith High School All-American and a McDonald's All-American Nominee. He was also a four-year All-State and All-Conference selection. Chavez played high School basketball for the Heart Butte High School Warriors and the Browning High School Indians from the Blackfeet Indian reservation. He was named State Tournament Most Valuable Player three years in a row and a three-time state champion in 2000, 2001, and 2002. In 2002, Chavez had multiple offers from colleges. He chose the University of Montana Grizzlies over Oregon State, Oregon, Montana State, UMASS and New Mexico. Chavez played in the NCAA tournament with the nation’s elite as the Griz made it into the second round in 2006 before losing to Boston College. Out of all the Big Dance teams, he was the only Native player in the tournament. In 2007, Chavez won the prestigious Naseby Rhinehart Award. Chavez also made the All-Decade team for 2000-2010 with the University of Montana Basketball Program. He had his difficulties with culture shock, but with perseverance, hard work and his culture, Chavez finished an illustrious career at the University of Montana. Following his graduation from college. Chavez was drafted into The Continental Basketball Association CBA by the Great Falls Explorers. He played professional basketball across the world in FIBA Pro leagues including the Latin Pro League (LNBP) in Guadalajara. Chavez is currently the Athletic Director/Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College in New Town, North Dakota. He lives with his wife Lisa Chavez (Cree/Lakota). <Back

< Back Brett Bucktooth Brett Bucktooth Onondaga Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2024 While playing varsity lacrosse at LaFayette Sr. High School, New York, Brett Bucktooth was named a four-time All League player, a Central NY First Team All Star, and was an All American. He was the team captain and led the team to the Section 3 Championship three times and the team were NYS High School Class “C” State Finals Runner-up. Bucktooth played for the Canadian Jr. A and B teams and played 14 seasons with the Canadian Box Lacrosse Sr. B and A teams. While playing at Syracuse University, Bucktooth played midfield and attack positions and received team and individual honors. He led the Orange with 37 goals and 55 points his senior season. The team were 2004 NCAA D1 National Champions. He was named the 2005 STX/USILA All American Honorable Mention. He was also named to the 2006 STX/USILA All American Second Team, was team captain, and a USILA North-South Team Senior selection. He made the NCAA Tournament Team and the team were in the NCAA D1 Final Four in 2003, 2004 and 2006. Bucktooth had a 12 year professional career. He was the Major League Lacrosse 12th draft pick and played with the Boston Cannons, Rochester Rattlers, and Hamilton Nationals. He was the National Lacrosse League Third Draft Pick and played for the Buffalo Bandits, Vancouver Stealth, and New England Blackwolves. While with the Iroquois Nationals field lacrosse program, Bucktooth was the captain of the 1998 U15 World Games Tournament Festival team. He was named to the 2006 All World Team as a midfielder and was the captain of the 2014 bronze medal team and served as an assistant coach in 2018. During the indoor national team time, he was on the team that won the silver medal in 2007, 2011 and 2015 and he was the captain in 2011 and 2015. Brett is married to Sateiokwen and in her Mohawk language the translation is, “She picks things up evenly”. Fitting as she now harvests medicines and continues to use the language in running her own business. Brett is also a proud father to his children, Brett Jr, and Aura. <Back

< Back Joseph Burton, Jr Joseph Burton, Jr Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2023 Joseph Burton Jr. is a member of the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians, in which he was raised and currently resides on the reservation. Joseph began playing sports at four years old, coached and mentored by his mother, Grandfather Charles “B-Bop” Silvas, aunt, and uncles. As he grew older he singled in on playing basketball which he excelled in. He played at West Valley High School in Hemet, CA where he was four-time MVP, four-time All Sun Belt league champion, and CIF Champion 2008. He continued on to Oregon State University with a full ride basketball scholarship, known as the first Native American in OSU history to receive a basketball scholarship. In addition, he along with Coach Robinson introduced the N7 games to OSU basketball in honor of indigenous culture, moreover becoming an ambassador for Nike N7. At OSU he was acknowledged as the first non-guard to record 1000+ points, 700+ rebounds and 300+ assists. While at OSU he visited the White House and met President Barack Obama on various occasions. Upon graduating in 2013, Joseph continued his professional basketball career overseas starting in Denmark playing for Aalborg Vikings. In the last nine years Joseph has played professional basketball in the Netherlands, Japan, Finland, and France. While playing in the French LNB league he's competed at Pro A and Pro B level being awarded MVP in 2016 and runner up 2017. He currently plays in the French FFBB league for Orchies NM1 Basketball. Averaging 21.8 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists, he is ultimately highly ranked with 30+ efficiency. <Back

< Back Dr. Joseph “Bud” Sahmaunt Dr. Joseph “Bud” Sahmaunt Kiowa Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete/Administrator 2026 Dr. Joseph “Bud” Sahmaunt left an indelible imprint on Oklahoma City University athletics as a basketball player and later athletic director. Sahmaunt earned most valuable player in the All-College Tournament in 1958 while playing basketball for OCU. After transferring from Cameron (Okla.), Sahmaunt became a member of the OCU basketball team from 1958-60. OCU won the 1958 All-College Tournament and participated in the 1959 National Invitational Tournament. In July 1987, Sahmaunt was named athletic director for OCU and served the university for 13 years as such. Before being named athletic director, Sahmaunt served as professor of education and associate dean of education. During Sahmaunt’s tenure as athletic director, OCU captured 15 NAIA national championships. OCU won national titles in women’s basketball in 1988, 1999 and 2000, men’s basketball in 1991, 1992, 1994 and 1996, men’s tennis in 1998, 1999 and 2000 and softball in 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 and 2000. Sahmaunt hired OCU baseball coach Denney Crabaugh, men’s golf coach Kyle Blaser and softball coach Phil McSpadden. Each led OCU to NAIA championships in their sport. Jim Abbott, who later became OCU athletic director, worked under Sahmaunt from 1991-94 as director of athletic development and promotions. Sahmaunt is a member of OCU’s 1960 graduating class as well as a member of the OCU Athletics Hall of Fame. Sahmaunt was inducted into the hall of fame in November 1981 while working for the university as the dean of an OCU program that linked higher education institutions with the local Native American communities. He is also a member of the Kiowa Nation Hall of Fame, the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame and was a member of The Oklahoman’s 1950’s all-star basketball team. <Back

Cherokee Jerod Phillips Cherokee Induction Category: Year Inducted Officials 2026 <Back Jerod Phillips is a lifelong resident of Northeastern Oklahoma and a proud citizen of the Cherokee Nation. He and his wife of 28 years, Alisha, have raised three adult sons Trent, Ty and Brady and are proud grandparents of five grandchildren. Jerod’s passion for sports sparked his officiating career in 1993, when he began working rural little league football games alongside his father. What started as a family pastime quickly evolved into a lifelong pursuit of excellence. Over the next three decades, Jerod advanced through the ranks—from junior college games to small college Division II schools, the Southland Conference, the Mountain West Conference, and the Big 12 Conference. In 2016, Jerod achieved a lifelong dream when he joined the National Football League (NFL) as a Down Judge. Throughout his NFL career, he has officiated two Wild Card Playoff Games, two Divisional Playoff Games, and four Championship Games: the 2019 AFC, 2021 NFC, 2023 AFC, and 2024 NFC Championships. He was also selected as an Alternate Official for Super Bowl LV (55) in Tampa Bay and Super Bowl LVII (57) in Phoenix, Arizona. Beyond the field, Jerod contributes his expertise by helping supervise officials for the Big 12, Mountain West, and Conference USA. Jerod serves as an inspiring example of perseverance and dedication—proof that even a small-town Native kid from rural Oklahoma can achieve greatness at the highest levels. As a school principal, he is deeply committed to the success of his students, encouraging them to dream big and work hard to achieve their goals. His passion for athletics goes beyond the game; he believes sports help shape character, teaching essential life lessons about perseverance, discipline, and accountability. Despite the opportunities his career could afford him across the nation, Jerod chooses to live and give back to the Native community where he grew up. His presence and leadership inspire countless students who see in him a reflection of what is possible with hard work and integrity.

< Back Fawn Porter Fawn Porter Lower Cayuga Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2026 Fawn Porter has played lacrosse since she was as tall as the goal post. Growing up in Six Nations, Fawn was one of the few girls to play box lacrosse. Her dad, seeing her competitive nature, placed her in box lacrosse and the rest is history. She has represented her community at the provincial, national, and world stage. Fawn Porter played in the minors for the Six Nations Warriors, where they were the first ever Six Nation’s girl’s box lacrosse team to win the Pool A Championship of Ontario. Fawn continued to the national level with the first ever Team Iroquois in 2013 where she was named to the all-star team. Fawn Porter later joined Team Ontario to compete nationally and won a silver medal. Playing box lacrosse was for the love of the game. There was no higher league to elevate to. Fawn tried field lacrosse at Western University, as any discipline of lacrosse will fuel her desire to play. She earned two golds and a bronze during her time at Western University and was named to the all-star team as well as being named as a captain. With the support of family, Fawn played with the Haudenosaunee Nationals for the first time in 2022 at the Women’s National Championship in Maryland, as well as the first Sixes team playing at the World Games in Alabama. Fawn was also named captain of the first Haudenosaunee Women’s World box lacrosse team that won the bronze medal at the first Women’s World Box Lacrosse Championships. She was also a part of the 2025 Haudenosaunee Nationals Women’s Field Team that earned their first bronze medal. Fawn continues striving to remain in the training pools for the three disciplines of box, field, and sixes lacrosse with the Haudenosaunee Nationals. She continues to let lacrosse take her around the world, spreading the good medicine. Fawn is an ambassador for the World Box Lacrosse Global Network (WBLGN) and found her new love of coaching through her first coaching experience with the First Nation’s U15 Girl’s Box team that travelled to Halifax. Fawn continues assisting lacrosse programs in her community as she loves connecting with the youth through lacrosse. <Back

Curt Styres Mohawk, Wolf Clan Induction Category: Year Inducted Builder 2024 <Back One of the Six Nations of The Grand River's most successful businessmen and the Owner and GM of the Halifax Thunderbirds NLL Team, Styres is a name synonymous with growing the game of lacrosse. He was raised by his mother Vera, who taught him to work hard, take care of your family, give back to your community and be thankful for the gifts you have been given. Styres is passionate about lacrosse and growing the game on and off of his community. In 2004 he opened of the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena located on Six Nations in summer is the home of many local teams and provides a Winter Lacrosse League for youth to continue to grow their skills in the off season. He has given back in many ways, from donating equipment to youth programs and coaching teams himself to multiple Provincial and National Championships. In his previous role as the lead sponsor for the Arrows Express Jr A team, Styres applied his concept of "put the tools in front of the player," resulting in a run of OLA championships from 2004 to 2007 in which year his arena hosted the Canadian Championship for the Jr As, the Minto Cup. Success seems to follow him whereever he goes as the Championships continued with his previous NLL team, the Rochester Knighthawks, who won three consecutive Champion's Cups 2012-2014. In 2011 and 2018, Styres was recognized for his leadership, knowledge, and commitment by the National Lacrosse League and was awarded the honour of the GM of The Year. In 2019 he moved his Rochester Knighthawks, NLL team to their new home in Halifax, Nova Scotia and became the Halifax Thunderbirds. Styres, along with a rotating group of players and supporters, undertook a 92-day canoe crusade from Six Nations, Ontario to deliver professional lacrosse to Nova Scotia by way of a wooden lacrosse stick in his hands. He strives for greatness in everything he does, keeping the values his mother taught him close to his heart and remaining grounded in the community he loves.

< Back Madison Lavergne Madison Lavergne Métis Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2026 Madison Lavergne is Métis and was a member of the two-time NCAA DIII National Hockey Championship University of Wisconsin-River Falls team. The Falcons won in back-to-back seasons in 2023-24 and 2024-25. She is currently a senior on the team. As a junior in the 2024-25 season, Lavergne was named to the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll. She played in all 31 games with 30 points off 10 goals and 20 assists. She earned the WIAC Player of the Week and Falcon of the Week honors. As a sophomore in the 2023-24 season, Lavergne was named to the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll. She played in all 31 games with 16 points off 10 goals and six assists. She scored four game-winning goals, including the game-winner against Gustavus Adolphus in the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals. She was named to the NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team. She also earned WIAC Player of the Week and two-times Falcon of the Week honors. As a freshman in the 2023-24 season, Lavergne was named an AHCA All-American Scholar. She also was named to the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll, Lavergne played in all 29 games with 28 points (14g-14a). She scored a hat-trick against UW-Superior and was named the Falcon of the Week one time. Madison Lavergne joined the Falcons as a forward from Warroad, Minn. where she played for the Warroad High School hockey team. As a senior, she was her team’s captain and helped lead the Warriors to a Minnesota State Tournament Championship and finished the season with 16 goals and 16 assists for 32 points. She was named to the All-Conference team as a junior and senior, and was on the National Honor Society. She is the daughter of Katie and Rene Lavergne, and she is majoring in Exercise and Sports Science. <Back